Online portal for COVID-19 Inquiry opens

Source: New Zealand Government Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is welcoming the opening of an online portal for the public to submit to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned. “The portal is an easy way for members of the public to have their say to the Inquiry about how the … Read more

New benefit sanctions for Traffic Light System

Source: New Zealand Government Two more non-financial benefit sanctions will be added to MSD’s Traffic Light System to drive economic growth by incentivising more job seekers to enter the workforce, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Our economy is stronger when more people are in work, and as we look to unleash economic … Read more

Northland Regional Council media briefs 03/02/25

Source: Northland Regional Council Safeswim: Your ‘go-to’ for water safety updates Before heading to Northland’s beaches, lakes, or rivers, you can check the Safeswim website or app for updates on water conditions, weather, tides, and lifeguard availability. This service ensures you and your whānau can enjoy a safe and fun day at the beach. Safeswim is … Read more

Household living costs increase 3.0 percent – Stats NZ media and information release – Household living-costs price indexes: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Household living costs increase 3.0 percent – 3 February 2025 – The cost of living for the average New Zealand household increased 3.0 percent in the 12 months to the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The 3.0 percent increase, measured by the household living-costs price … Read more

Crash blocks Wainuiomata Hill heading towards Lower Hutt

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) The Wainuiomata Hill is currently closed heading towards Lower Hutt following a crash. The two-vehicle crash involving a car and a motorcycle was reported on the Wainuiomata side of the hill just after 11:30am. One person has been seriously injured. Motorists are advised to expect delays. ENDS Issued by … Read more

Resurfacing works for SH1 Turntable Hill, Moerewa, start tomorrow

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises overnight asphalt resurfacing works will get underway on State Highway 1 at Turntable Hill, Moerewa tomorrow (Tuesday 4 February), before pausing for Waitangi Day holiday traffic. Asphalting works will then resume from Sunday 9 February through to Thursday 13 February (finishing on the … Read more

Guidance for safe use of AI in the public sector

Source: New Zealand Government Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins today released guidelines which set clear expectations for how agencies should adopt AI while harnessing its potential to improve productivity and service delivery.“Use of AI technologies to improve public services is a priority for me, and this guidance will enable its safe and responsible uptake,” Ms Collins says.“AI … Read more

Legal action dropped over ETS Foresty Registry 

Source: New Zealand Government Minister of Forestry Todd McClay has welcomed a decision by forestry sector representatives to drop Judicial Review proceedings related to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) fees. “The Judicial Review was initiated in response to the excessive fees imposed on the forestry sector by the previous Government,” Mr McClay says.  “The previous … Read more

NZ-AU: US Graphite Producers Win Preliminary ITC Trade Case Ruling

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) BRISBANE, Australia, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NOVONIX Limited (NASDAQ: NVX, ASX: NVX) (“NOVONIX” or the “Company”), a leading battery materials and technology company, applauds today’s preliminary determination by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that China has supressed the establishment of the domestic graphite industry by exporting artificially cheap graphite to … Read more

SH1/Bridge Street blocked following crash, Rakaia

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) State Highway 1/Bridge Street, Rakaia is blocked at the intersection with Elizabeth Ave following a crash. The two-vehicle crash was reported just before 10:30am. Three people have been moderately injured. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays. Diversions are in place. ENDS Issued by Police Media … Read more

Finance – ASB lowers popular mortgage rates for the second time in two weeks

Source: ASB ASB has today announced decreases to some of its most popular fixed home lending rates for the second time in a fortnight, with market-leading rates on 1-year, 18-month and 2-year terms. ASB’s 2-year term falls 20 basis points to 5.29%, with its 1-year and 18-month terms at 5.54% and 5.34% respectively from today. … Read more

Fire and Emergency New Zealand seeks local advisory committee members in Wellington

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is calling for expressions of interest from people in the greater Wellington area to join its local advisory committee. The Wellington Local Advisory Committee provides independent advice to the Fire and Emergency board about what their communities value, their needs, and the risks they face. … Read more

Applications sought for Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Canterbury Local Advisory Committee

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand is seeking applications for members of its Canterbury Local Advisory Committee. The Canterbury Local Advisory Committee will cover both the Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury Fire Districts, covering the area from just south of the Clarence River down to the Waitaki River. It is a wide … Read more

ConsumerNZ reveals the best and worst insurance providers

Source: ConsumerNZ Consumer NZ finds two insurers have topped the list for customer satisfaction across the insurance trifecta – car, house and contents. Results from Consumer’s annual insurance satisfaction survey found MAS and FMG were rated highly by their customers, both earning Consumer’s People’s Choice award. “This is the eighth consecutive year FMG has received … Read more

SH1 blocked near Topuni

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are advising motorists that State Highway 1 is currently blocked near Topuni. At around 10.15am a truck rolled, blocking lanes in both directions near the intersections with Schiska and Otioro roads. There are currently no reports of any injuries from the scene. Motorists are advised that diversions will … Read more

First charter schools open for 2025

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Minister of Education, David Seymour, says that today is a great day for educational achievement in New Zealand. From today the first charter schools will begin teaching. “As of today, the first lessons at Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki, Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao and Ecole Francaise Internationale Auckland are underway. … Read more

Health and Politics – GenPro focuses BIM on helping new Health Minister improve access to primary healthcare

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) General practice owners, pleased the new Health Minister identifies access to primary healthcare as a top priority, have put forward their views on how Minister Brown could reduce waiting times to see a doctor. In a Briefing to the Incoming Minister, the General Practice Owners Association focuses on three … Read more

Fire Safety – Fire restrictions eased for Wairarapa’s southern coast

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand has revoked the restrictions on lighting outdoor fires in Wairarapa’s southern coastal area until further notice. From 8am Monday 3 February, all of Wairarapa will be in an open fire season, which means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and … Read more

Federated Farmers calls for doubling of QEII Trust funding

Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to double its funding for the QEII National Trust to ensure it can continue to meet demand from farmers. “The QEII Trust has a stellar track record of working with landowners to permanently protect special areas of bush, wetland and biodiversity,” Federated Farmers vice president Colin … Read more

SEYMOUR’S SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMME A FAILURE DAY ONE – Sir Ray Avery GNZM

Source: The Kaizen Group – Sir Ray Avery GNZM OPINION PIECE – Sir Ray says “It was actually day two when David Seymour’s lunches arrived at schools one hour after lunchtime and principals described it as looking like dog food and they could not even give it away to food banks and it was dumped.” The company who … Read more

Palestine Forum of New Zealand Urges Government to Join the Hague Group in Support of Palestine

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the New Zealand government to join the newly formed Hague Group, a coalition of nine nations committed to defending Palestinian rights and holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law. The Hague Group—comprising South Africa, Malaysia, Namibia, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, … Read more

Property Market – Sellers hit 2025 hard, with new listings at levels not seen in a decade

Source: RealEstate.co.nz New listings back at levels not seen during January since 2015 National stock levels up 18.9% year-on-year, close to 2015 levels  Auckland stock levels reach 13-year January high  Coined ‘the perfect market’ by realestate.co.nz in November, the rare stability of high stock levels and stable prices has carried over to 2025. But with … Read more

Activist News – PSNA tells Foreign Minister Winston Peters to ignore ‘Trump’s bully’ on Israeli soldiers holidaying here

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa   The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is telling Foreign Minister Winston Peters to ignore the bullying from pro-Israel Texas senator Ted Cruz and have the courage to stop welcoming Israel solders to New Zealand.   Winston Peters has claimed Israeli media stories that New Zealand has stopped Israeli military visiting New Zealand are … Read more

Education – New charter schools open doors to first students

Source: Charter School Agency Three of the first seven new charter schools | kura hourua open their doors today, marking a huge milestone for education in New Zealand, says Charter School Agency Chief Executive, Jane Lee. Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki (Christchurch), L’École Française Internationale (Auckland) and Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao (Doubtless Bay) will … Read more

Tirau Road/SH1 blocked

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Tirau Road/State Highway 1 is currently blocked near Fergusson Gully Road due to a truck breakdown. The northbound lanes will be blocked for some time. No injuries have been reported. Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to expect delays. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre MIL OSI

Traffic impacted by crash, Waterloo Quay, Wellington

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Motorists heading into the Wellington CBD are asked to avoid Waterloo Quay following a crash. The crash was reported to Police at 8.45am and appears to involve several vehicles. There are currently no reports of injuries however traffic is being significantly impacted. ENDS  Issued by Police Media Centre.  MIL … Read more

Rangiora boom beckons top accounting firm

Source: Press Release Service – New Zealand Leading South Island chartered accountancy firm Ashton Wheelans has opened a new office in Rangiora. The firm has moved its operation from Kaiapoi to 190 High Street, Rangiora, to better service the accounting and business consultancy requirements of the growing Rangiora business community. It is the fourth South … Read more